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Depends on the type of string, some will lose tension faster than others. If you are a casual player it doesn't really matter, just re-string when it breaks. But obviously if you see signs of wear, you'll want to have a back-up or just cut and re-string. The worst is to have it break during play and no backup

I agree with what Chan1011 posted above. If you're just a casual player (i.e. not serious) then just play till it breaks. But IF you are serious about your game, then I would say about 1 month or 3 months max.

Depends on the conditions I suppose. If it's been in a dark, fairly constant-temperature cupboard then definitely still useable. But if it's been exposed to the elements then maybe not. I generally do not have strings that lay around for 2-3 years though so I've never tried.

I've had good results with old strings still in their packaging - a coworker gave me a set of BG66 strings he found in his garage.... my guess is they're about 20 years old. Strung it up on my trusty ol MP100. They lasted about 2 months - play about 6 hours per week - before they broke. (above average for a BG66)
The other set was a pack of BG 80s which I had lying around for the better part of 5 years because of the break i took from badminton during my university years - they lasted quite a while before they broke.... I believe if they are stored in non-hostile conditions, they'll be perfectly fine.

i live in california USA and it's very dry here compared to asia, so if i leave strings on my racket that long, they will get really dry, so i usually have a backup just in case it snaps. i tend to play till it breaks or when i'm tired of the string's feel/color.